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No snow necessary: Ski resorts deliver summer fun

Most large ski resorts offer golf and mountain biking. Many are adding bells and high-altitude whistles like whitewater parks, ziplines and more. The bonus? Bargain rates at some of the region's swankiest spots.

It's a well-worn cliché employed by one-time ski bums who quickly grasped the appeal of ski-town living after the snow melted, the temperatures rose and the wildflowers bloomed.

In recent years, top ski destinations have beefed up their warm-weather offerings to lure visitors. Most large ski resorts offer world-class golf and mountain biking. Many are adding bells and high-altitude whistles like man-made whitewater parks, ziplines and much more. The bonus? Bargain rates at some of the region's swankiest spots.

"In the summertime, travelers can experience the same luxurious lodging and dine at the same world-class restaurants for a fraction of the price," says Dan Sherman of Ski.com, which sells mountain vacation packages. "We have found that travelers can snag deals with savings of up to 85-percent off the most expensive travel times in winter."

Wow, you say? That's what we thought, too.

Here are some places to spend a spectacular summer in the mountains.

Bike rugged trailsAspen, Colo.

Festivals abound all summer, but fair-weather visitors to this Rocky Mountain town can get the adrenaline pumping, too. Just last summer, Aspen Snowmass resort added more than nine miles of downhill mountain-biking trails for riders of all abilities. New this season, two lifts run seven days a week, and the critically acclaimed, on-mountain Elk Camp restaurant makes its summer debut.

See Olympic skatersSun Valley, Idaho

Sun Valley, the nation's first destination ski resort, built the world's first chair lift and was ahead of its time in summer golf; famed designer Robert Trent Jones built the Trail Creek golf course in 1937. Today Sun Valley has three golf courses and is best-known for its unique Saturday summer ice shows, featuring famed Olympians from Brian Boitano to Sasha Cohen.

Try stand-up paddle boardingVail, Colo.

Vail, the nation's largest ski resort, now has a whitewater park in the heart of its pedestrian-friendly base village. Popular with kayakers, the park also draws fans of red-hot stand-up paddle boarding. Every Sunday, the streets of the village are transformed into a huge Vail Farmers' Market & Art Show, which has become one of the largest in Colorado. A 15-mile, paved recreation path fronts the village and is popular for running, walking and cycling.

This article is excerpted from USA TODAY Go Escape magazine, on newsstands now through Aug. 10. The publication contains articles on destinations throughout North America and the Caribbean.(Photo: Go Escape)

Catch a troutBig Sky, Mont.

Montana is world-famous for fly fishing, and Big Sky resort is near the revered Gallatin River, where the movie A River Runs Through It was filmed. A staggering number of Blue Ribbon trout streams can be found near the resort, along with guides who will pick up guests, supply equipment and instruction, making an easy day of it. The other big attraction is nearby Yellowstone Park. Guides specialize in escorting guests on full-blown tours of the highlights before returning them to the resort. It's a long but amazing day.

Do two-wheel cruisingSteamboat Springs, Colo.

Years ago Steamboat registered the name Ski Town USA. Now the resort has added Bike Town USA, which reveals the summer focus. Renowned for both road and mountain biking, the town is the hub for more than 500 interconnected miles of off-road trails. In 2012 the ski resort opened an elaborate, on-mountain bike park. Endless road-cycling options exist for all abilities; the climb over Rabbit Ears Pass is not for beginners. Laid-back cyclists take cruiser bikes on the paved 7-mile recreational path along the Yampa River.

Zip through the airPark City, Utah

Park City Mountain Resort was one of the first to embrace the new mountain coasters. Guests control their speed on this thrill ride while zipping down a track above bare ski slopes. Park City is also home to two ziplines that Ski.com rates among the nation's best: the Flying Eagle at PCRM, where participants can race, side-by-side, on lines 110 feet up and at speeds up to 45 mph; and the Utah Olympic Park's XTREME ZipRider, a 1,454-foot, 55-mph ride above the Nordic Jumping Hill.

Visit the rodeoBeaver Creek, Colo.

Classy Beaver Creek has plenty of hiking, biking and rafting, but what sets the resort apart is its cultural activities. The resort hosts a non-stop array of festivals for wine and spirits, antiques, art, even a Blues, Brews and BBQ festival. But the most popular visitor activity remains the Thursday Night Rodeo series, a family-friendly event where guests can get a taste of bronco riding, calf scramble, team roping, mutton bustin', barrel racing, bull riding and burro racing. Free shuttles run from the village to the rodeo grounds.

Climb high, by tramJackson, Wyo.

Jackson, the gateway to Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Park, is perhaps the sole major ski destination that's busier in warm weather. But Jackson Hole, the ski resort with the nation's highest vertical drop, is a must-visit for its famous tram ride to the top of Rendezvous Mountain. The 15-minute ride takes visitors to the top of the 4,139-foot mountain. Hiking options include incredible views of the Tetons.

Keystone Resort offers geocaching, a high-tech scavenger hunt that uses a GPS to find hidden "treasures" around the mountain. Adventure-seekers can also try whitewater rafting. Guided beginner, intermediate and advanced trips launch from three points on Clear Creek and the Arkansas and Colorado rivers. Trips are available for kids as young as 3.